Author: 00013UTEuser

The New Collective Agreement is Signed

June 27, 2023

We are pleased to announce that the Public Service Alliance of Canada – Union of Taxation Employees (PSAC/UTE) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) signed a new collective agreement this morning in Ottawa for approximately 37,000 employees working at CRA and being represented by the PSAC-UTE.

The new collective agreement is now in effect. It applies from November 1, 2021, to October 31, 2025, inclusively. The CRA has a maximum of 180 days from today to implement the provisions of the collective agreement, which includes the adjustment of the employees’ wages and paying out the retroactive and lump sum payments.

The Agency committed to keeping the union updated on a regular basis as to the progress of getting union members paid out.

Once again, we want to thank each and every one of you, our members, for your ongoing support to your bargaining team and your union.

If you have any questions about the new collective agreement, please speak with one of your local union representatives.

UTE members ratify new agreement with Canada Revenue Agency

June 16, 2023

Members of the Union of Taxation Employees, a Component of the PSAC, working at the Canada Revenue Agency, have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new tentative agreement, with 88% of ballots cast in favour of the new contract.
 
UTE members held strong with other bargaining units of the PSAC during one of the largest national strikes in Canada’s history, securing fair wages that close the gap with inflation, the strongest remote work language in the country, better job security, and safer and more inclusive workplaces. In addition, even when the other bargaining units reached a tentative agreement and returned to work, UTE members remained on the picket lines for three additional days to ensure that we achieved at least the same improvements agreed to at the other tables, and achieved even further improvements on vacation leave, shift premiums and contracting out.
 
The four-year collective agreement for over 35,000 PSAC-UTE members expires October 31, 2025.

Highlights of the agreement
 
In the weeks to come, the bargaining agent, PSAC, along with UTE representatives will meet with CRA representatives shortly to sign the new collective agreement. With the exception of monetary provisions, which are retroactive, new contract terms come into effect on the date of signing.
 
The employer has 180 days from the signing of the contract to implement wage increases, wage adjustments and allowances. If CRA is unable to meet this deadline, additional amounts up to $200 will be payable if the outstanding amount is more than $500 owed.
 
UTE will update members immediately when the new contract is signed. Please ensure that your local executive has your current contact information.
 
UTE is extremely proud of you, our members, and sincerely appreciates your loyal support and resilience during this difficult round of bargaining. With your ongoing support, we will continue to strive to achieve further improvements to your terms and conditions of employment and working conditions.
 
In Solidarity,

 

Marc Brière
National President
Union of Taxation Employees

Adam Jackson
2^nd National Vice-President
Union of Taxation Employees

If you are having trouble viewing this announcement, you can view it fully HERE

CRA RATIFICATION VOTES TO BE HELD MAY 24 TO JUNE 16

source 1 source 2

Ratification votes for PSAC-UTE members working at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will begin on May 24 and end June 16 at 12 noon ET.

Register now

In order for PSAC-UTE members to receive their new rates of pay, retroactive pay, and lump sum payment, the new agreement must first be ratified. To ensure this ratification process is done as quickly as possible, PSAC will be conducting an expedited ratification process.

The ratification vote will be conducted using the same online voting platform used for strike votes earlier this year.

• Review the ratification kit
• View the tentative agreement and ratification vote FAQ

How to vote

PSAC will be holding mandatory information sessions both virtually and in-person, and you can vote at any time after attending a session up until the voting deadline June 16 at noon ET.

1. Check your email: All PSAC-UTE members working for CRA will have received an email from communications@psac-afpc.vote May 17 with the link to PSAC’s voting platform and the credentials needed to log in. If we only have your home address on file, your voting credentials will have been mailed to you.
   
   If you did not receive an email on May 17, check your junk mail or other folders in your personal email account. If you’ve checked those folders and still don’t have the email, or if we don’t have your personal email on file, you can fill out a PSAC membership form to update your contact information.
   
   Once you submit the online membership form, PSAC will issue your voting credentials to you as soon as possible.

2. Participate in a mandatory information session: Upon receipt of your login credentials, please proceed to register for online or in-person voting sessions using the online voting platform link.

Submit your vote: Once you attend a mandatory information session – either virtually or in person – you will then be provided with a link by email to vote. Following each information session, you can log in and vote immediately or stay on to participate in a live Q&A session held on Zoom with members of the PSAC-UTE bargaining team to answer your questions.

Vote times and locations

The following online and in-person mandatory information sessions have been scheduled.

At PSAC’s request, CRA has agreed to provide all members one and a half hours on paid leave for online ratification votes and up to three hours on paid leave, including the meal period, for in-person voting.

Virtual vote sessions

These sessions are listed in eastern time but are open to all PSAC-UTE members. Please choose the session that best fits your schedule.

• May 24 in English – 12 noon ET
• May 24 in English with ASL interpretation – 7 PM ET
• May 25 in French – 7 PM ET
• May 30 in English – 12 noon ET
• June 5 in French – 11 AM ET
• June 6 in English with ASL interpretation – 11 AM ET
• June 7 in English – 1:30 PM ET
• June 14 in French – 7 PM ET
• June 15 in English with ASL interpretation – 8 PM ET

In-person vote sessions

These sessions will be held in the following cities. Date, time and location will be added as they become available in the coming days.

National Capital Region

• Ottawa, ON
• Gatineau, QC

Ontario

• Belleville, ON
• Greater Toronto – June 1
• Hamilton/St. Catharines, ON
• Kingston, ON
• Kitchener – June 6
• Sudbury, ON

Quebec

• Shawinigan – May 31
• Chicoutimi – June 8
• Laval – June 6
• Montreal – June 7
• Quebec – May 29

Atlantic

• Halifax – June 6
• Saint John – June 1
• St. John’s – June 12
• Summerside – June 14

Prairies

• Winnipeg, MB
• Regina – June 1
• Calgary – June 1
• Edmonton, AB

British Columbia

• Surrey, BC
• Vancouver, BC
• Penticton, BC

Register now

UTE Local 00013 June 13th AGM

Hello UTE Local 00013 members! We are pleased to announce our upcoming annual general meeting for Tuesday June 13th. We will share a specific time later, but we anticipate a start between 5:15-6pm. More details will follow shortly.

Please continue to monitor your inbox for updates on the tentative agreement otherwise, and we look forward to seeing you in June!

PSAC-UTE’s Canada Revenue Agency settlement

Dear members, first we just want to thank everyone who walked the picket line or otherwise took action during our strike. We were heartened to see members of our local day in and out, rain or shine (mostly rain!) and truly appreciate everyone’s sacrifices and effort to get a new contract.

As you probably know, UTE reached an agreement last week. PSAC has published a page here which breaks down some of the items that were agreed upon. We encourage members to read over the details here, as well as the attached chart for pay schedule.

While this agreement has been reached by our bargaining team, we’d like to remind everyone that it has not been ratified yet and we absolutely implore every member to vote once voting starts. We do not have further information on voting at this point, but that information will be shared by the union shortly.

Finally, Here is a chart that was put together by another local on what the tentative pay schedule may look like (emphasis on may, this is NOT an official chart).

Please feel free to reach out if you have further questions or inquiries on anything here, though we’re still waiting to get some details from UTE and PSAC so we may not have every piece of information available at this moment.

In solidarity,
UTE Local 00013

WE WILL SURVIVE

Attention: Toronto Center 13

Thank you to our members that continue to show up on the picket line every day, as we fight for the best possible contract that we can get. We are almost there.

Unfortunately, it has been brought to the Local’s attention that:

• Some members have been crossing the picket line to work,
• Some members sign in at the picket line, leave, and then return later to sign out.
• Some members are even signing in at the picket line, crossing the line and going to work, and then returning to the picket line later on to sign out, illegally obtaining strike pay in the process.
• Some members are not showing up at all, waiting at home for a deal to be reached so that they can reap the benefits, while their colleagues fight on the front lines through adverse weather conditions.

We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to these members. We have started the process to revoke strike pay for members that sign in and then leave the picket line, dishonestly collecting strike pay. In addition, we have a list of members who have not picketed, instead sitting at home waiting to cash in on the deal that we will achieve. We will take action pursuant to PSAC’s constitution to discipline any member who crossed the picket or is dishonestly earning strike pay.

This process could lead to suspension or termination of membership and/or fines.

We urge all members who are not on an accommodation, to support our bargaining team on the picket line. We will only win this fight with sustained pressure, just like we did for maternity leave, sick leave and so many other benefits that we have obtained.

GOVERNMENT DELAYING NEGOTIATIONS FOR 35,000 PSAC-UTE MEMBERS AS STRIKE CONTINUES

May 2, 2023

This government insists it cares about workers and building a strong public service. Yet for nearly two years, they’ve stalled and dragged out negotiations for our over 35,000 PSAC-UTE members, and denied us the fair wages and decent working conditions we deserve.

They forced us to secure an overwhelming strike mandate and take strike action to make any movement at the table.

Now, after being on strike for two weeks on picket lines across the country, Canada Revenue Agency continues to play games, and has tabled offers significantly inferior to the tentative agreement PSAC reached with Treasury Board May 1.

They also continue to push for concessions at the table that are simply unacceptable.

This is a slap in the face to the PSAC-UTE members who have been here for Canadians and this government during the pandemic not only to resolve tax issues, but to deliver vital emergency’ financial aid to millions of Canadians in record time.

Our call centre members also stepped in to assist with the passport and Afghanistan refugee crisis when the government needed us most.

We’ve been here for this government, and we expect more respect.

In solidarity,

Chris Aylward, PSAC National President
Marc Brière, Union of Taxation of Employees National President
Adam Jackson, Union of Taxation Employees 2nd National Vice-President

Our bargaining team is still at the table negotiating tonight

May 2, 2023

Good evening Sisters, Brothers and Friends,

I just want to let you know that our bargaining team is still working hard at the negotiating table tonight with the employer’s representatives in an attempt to reach a fair and reasonable agreement for our members.

An update will be posted as soon as possible.

Thank you and let’s keep fighting together!

In Solidarity,

Marc Brière

National President

Union of Taxation Employees

Update From UTE Local 00013

Hello,

We want to thank you for your time on the picket line and support for our ongoing strike. Please continue to monitor your inboxes for updates from PSAC and UTE, and we also recommend you follow the news and PSAC social media pages for more instant updates.

As you may know, tomorrow is May 1st and is celebrated as international workers day. We want to increase our visibility on this day, and as such we’d like to ask that you try to join the picket line later in the day at or after 11am. We understand that lots of members prefer to do an early shift, but we’d really love to have a lot of people out on the line later in the afternoon. We also anticipate some guest speakers joining us a little after the lunch hour. Of course, if you have schedule conflicts and need to come earlier, you can do so.

Though we’re all anxious for a contract, this is a crucial moment for us to show our strength as a union. Again, thank you for all you’ve done over the last week in a half.

In solidarity,

UTE Local 00013